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Bakhteeva I, Timofeev V. Some Peculiarities of Anthrax Epidemiology in Herbivorous and Carnivorous Animals. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12060870. [PMID: 35743901 PMCID: PMC9224990 DOI: 10.3390/life12060870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Anthrax is an especially dangerous zooanthroponosis caused by the Gram-positive spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. A notable feature of this disease is the difference in susceptibility to it among different groups of animals. Anthrax primarily affects herbivorous ungulate mammals; they are easily infected, and their disease often leads to rapid, even sudden, death. However, predators and scavengers are extremely resistant to anthrax, and if they become infected, they usually become mildly ill. As the result of the increased sensitivity of ungulates to anthrax and the possibility of disease transmission from them to humans, most studies of anthrax have focused on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of infection in farm animals and humans. The issues of anthrax in other animals, such as predators, and the peculiarities of anthrax epidemiology in wild ungulates have not been sufficiently detailed in the literature. In this article, we provide a review of literature sources that describe the differential susceptibility to infection of various groups of animals to anthrax and some epidemiological features of anthrax in animals that are not the main hosts of B. anthracis.
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Pittiglio C, Shadomy S, El Idrissi A, Soumare B, Lubroth J, Makonnen Y. Seasonality and Ecological Suitability Modelling for Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) in Western Africa. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12091146. [PMID: 35565571 PMCID: PMC9105891 DOI: 10.3390/ani12091146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Anthrax is a globally distributed, neglected, underreported, soil-borne zoonotic disease. In West Africa, the disease is hyper-endemic, severely affecting the livestock sector. Many challenges exist to control the disease in this region, particularly constraints on financial and human resources. Therefore, methods that can be utilized to improve reporting, guide and prioritize surveillance and control activities and rationalize the allocation of limited resources are crucial. In this study, we showed how to optimize the use of fragmented, heterogeneous and limited precise reporting data of anthrax in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Niger to understand risk periods as well as identify and predict risk areas. To achieve this, we used anthrax data from different databases in combination with environmental and climate variables and geospatial remote sensing techniques. Our study demonstrated that the number of anthrax outbreaks by month increase with the increasing monthly rates of change in precipitation and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) during the transition period from the dry to the wet season. Livestock density, precipitation, NDVI and alkaline soils were the main predictors of anthrax suitability in the region. Our findings on anthrax seasonality and ecological suitability can inform surveillance, prevention and control programs undertaken by animal and public health authorities and enhance collaborative One Health strategies. Abstract Anthrax is hyper-endemic in West Africa affecting wildlife, livestock and humans. Prediction is difficult due to the lack of accurate outbreak data. However, predicting the risk of infection is important for public health, wildlife conservation and livestock economies. In this study, the seasonality of anthrax outbreaks in West Africa was investigated using climate time series and ecological niche modeling to identify environmental factors related to anthrax occurrence, develop geospatial risk maps and identify seasonal patterns. Outbreak data in livestock, wildlife and humans between 2010 and 2018 were compiled from different sources and analyzed against monthly rates of change in precipitation, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and land surface temperature. Maximum Entropy was used to predict and map the environmental suitability of anthrax occurrence. The findings showed that: (i) Anthrax outbreaks significantly (99%) increased with incremental changes in monthly precipitation and vegetation growth and decremental changes in monthly temperature during January–June. This explains the occurrence of the anthrax peak during the early wet season in West Africa. (ii) Livestock density, precipitation seasonality, NDVI and alkaline soils were the main predictors of anthrax suitability. (iii) Our approach optimized the use of limited and heterogeneous datasets and ecological niche modeling, demonstrating the value of integrated disease notification data and outbreak reports to generate risk maps. Our findings can inform public, animal and environmental health and enhance national and regional One Health disease control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Pittiglio
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Animal Production and Health Division, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Sean Shadomy
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Joint FAO/WHO Centre (CODEX Food Standards and Zoonotic Diseases), Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy; (S.S.); (A.E.I.)
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Mailstop H16-5, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - Ahmed El Idrissi
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Joint FAO/WHO Centre (CODEX Food Standards and Zoonotic Diseases), Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy; (S.S.); (A.E.I.)
| | - Baba Soumare
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Animal Production and Health Division, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy;
| | - Juan Lubroth
- One Health Consultancies, 00153 Rome, Lazio, Italy;
| | - Yilma Makonnen
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Sub-Regional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE), CMC Road, Bole Sub City, Kebele 12/13, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 5536, Ethiopia;
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Woodburn DB, Steyl J, Du Plessis EC, Last RD, Reininghaus B, Mitchell EP. Pathological findings in African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) in South Africa. J S Afr Vet Assoc 2021; 92:e1-e11. [PMID: 34476957 PMCID: PMC8424707 DOI: 10.4102/jsava.v92i0.2117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is an iconic species of South African megafauna. As the farmed buffalo population expands, the potential impacts on population health and disease transmission warrant investigation. A retrospective study of skin biopsy and necropsy samples from 429 animals was performed to assess the spectrum of conditions seen in buffaloes in South Africa. Determination of the cause of death (or euthanasia) could not be made in 33.1% (136/411) of the necropsy cases submitted due to autolysis or the absence of significant lesions in the samples submitted. Infectious and parasitic diseases accounted for 53.5% (147/275) of adult fatal cases and non-infectious conditions accounted for 34.9% (96/275). Abortions and neonatal deaths made up 11.6% (32/275) of necropsy cases. Rift Valley fever, bovine viral diarrhoea, malignant catarrhal fever, tuberculosis, bacterial pneumonia, anaesthetic deaths, cachexia and hepatotoxic lesions were the most common causes of death. The range of infectious, parasitic and non-infectious diseases to which African buffaloes were susceptible was largely similar to diseases in domestic cattle which supports concerns regarding disease transmission between the two species. The similarity between diseases experienced in both species will assist wildlife veterinarians in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in captive African buffaloes. The present study likely does not represent accurate disease prevalence data within the source population of buffaloes, and diseases such as anthrax, brucellosis and foot and mouth disease are under-represented in this study. Hepatic ductal plate abnormalities and haemorrhagic septicaemia have not, to our knowledge, been previously reported in African buffaloes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B Woodburn
- Department of Pathobiology, Zoological Pathology Program, University of Illinois, Illinois.
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Nyarko KM, Miller LA, Baughman AL, Katjiuanjo P, Evering-Watley M, Antara S, Angula P, Mitonga HK, Prybylski D, Dziuban EJ, Ndevaetela EE. The role of Namibia Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme in strengthening the public health workforce in Namibia, 2012-2019. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:e005597. [PMID: 33849899 PMCID: PMC8051409 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Namibia faces a critical shortage of skilled public health workers to perform emergency response operations, preparedness activities and real-time surveillance. The Namibia Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (NamFELTP) increases the number of skilled public health professionals and strengthens the public health system in Namibia. We describe the NamFELTP during its first 7 years, assess its impact on the public health workforce and provide recommendations to further strengthen the workforce. We reviewed disease outbreak investigations and response reports, field projects and epidemiological investigations conducted during 2012-2019. The data were analysed using descriptive methods such as frequencies and rates. Maps representing the geographical distribution of NamFELTP workforce were produced using QGIS software V.3.2. There were no formally trained field epidemiologists working in Namibia before the NamFELTP. In its 7 years of operation, the programme graduated 189 field epidemiologists, of which 28 have completed the Advanced FELTP. The graduates increased epidemiological capacity for surveillance and response in Namibia at the national and provincial levels, and enhanced epidemiologist-led outbreak responses on 35 occasions, including responses to outbreaks of human and zoonotic diseases. Trainees analysed data from 51 surveillance systems and completed 31 epidemiological studies. The NamFELTP improved outcomes in the Namibia's public health systems; including functional and robust public health surveillance systems that timely and effectively respond to public health emergencies. However, the current epidemiological capacity is insufficient and there is a need to continue training and mentorship to fill key leadership and strategic roles in the public health system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kofi Mensah Nyarko
- Namibia Ministry of Health and Social Services, Windhoek, Khomas, Namibia
- School of Public Health, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Leigh Ann Miller
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Windhoek, Namibia
| | | | - Puumue Katjiuanjo
- Namibia Ministry of Health and Social Services, Windhoek, Khomas, Namibia
| | | | - Simon Antara
- Namibia Ministry of Health and Social Services, Windhoek, Khomas, Namibia
| | - Penehafo Angula
- School of Public Health, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Honore K Mitonga
- School of Public Health, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | | | - Eric J Dziuban
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Windhoek, Namibia
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Medley AM, Gasanani J, Nyolimati CA, McIntyre E, Ward S, Okuyo B, Kabiito D, Bender C, Jafari Z, LaMorde M, Babigumira PA, Nakiire L, Agwang C, Merrill R, Ndumu D, Doris K. Preventing the cross-border spread of zoonotic diseases: Multisectoral community engagement to characterize animal mobility-Uganda, 2020. Zoonoses Public Health 2021; 68:747-759. [PMID: 33749158 PMCID: PMC8518851 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In Uganda, the borders are highly porous to animal movement, which may contribute to zoonotic disease spread. We piloted an animal adaptation of an existing human‐focused toolkit to collect data on animal movement patterns and interactions to inform One Health programs. During January 2020, we conducted focus group discussions and key informant interviews with participatory mapping of 2 national‐level One Health stakeholders and 2 local‐level abattoir representatives from Kampala. Zoonotic disease hotspots changed in 2020 compared with reports from 2017–2019. In contrast to local‐level participants, national‐level participants highlighted districts rather than specific locations. Everyone discussed livestock species; only national‐level participants mentioned wildlife. Participants described seasonality differently. Stakeholders used the results to identify locations for zoonotic disease interventions and sites for future data collection. This implementation of an animal‐adapted population mobility mapping exercise highlights the importance of multisectoral initiatives to promote One Health border health approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Marie Medley
- Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Global Border Health Team, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Epidemic Intelligence Service, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | - Elvira McIntyre
- Perspecta Inc., Chantilly, VA, USA.,Geospatial Research, Analysis and Services Program (GRASP), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sarah Ward
- Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Global Border Health Team, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Bosco Okuyo
- The Uganda Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Duncan Kabiito
- The Uganda Ministry of Health Emergency Operations Center, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Cristel Bender
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Zainab Jafari
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Rebecca Merrill
- Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Global Border Health Team, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Deo Ndumu
- The Uganda Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Kiconco Doris
- The Uganda Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries, Entebbe, Uganda
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Complete Genome Sequence of an Environmental Bacillus cereus Isolate Belonging to the Bacillus anthracis Clade. Microbiol Resour Announc 2020; 9:9/47/e00917-20. [PMID: 33214297 PMCID: PMC7679090 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00917-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We report here the complete genome sequence of a Bacillus cereus isolate identified in a soil sample from Namibia. This isolate is closely related to the B. anthracis clade. While the plasmids (500 and 12 kb) carry no detectable B. anthracis virulence gene, the large plasmid shares a 50-kb continuous region similar to plasmid pXO1. We report here the complete genome sequence of a Bacillus cereus isolate identified in a soil sample from Namibia. This isolate is closely related to the B. anthracis clade. While the plasmids (500 and 12 kb) carry no detectable B. anthracis virulence gene, the large plasmid shares a 50-kb continuous region similar to plasmid pXO1.
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Romero-Alvarez D, Peterson AT, Salzer JS, Pittiglio C, Shadomy S, Traxler R, Vieira AR, Bower WA, Walke H, Campbell LP. Potential distributions of Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis causing anthrax in Africa. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008131. [PMID: 32150557 PMCID: PMC7082064 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis (Bcbva) is an emergent bacterium closely related to Bacillus anthracis, the etiological agent of anthrax. The latter has a worldwide distribution and usually causes infectious disease in mammals associated with savanna ecosystems. Bcbva was identified in humid tropical forests of Côte d'Ivoire in 2001. Here, we characterize the potential geographic distributions of Bcbva in West Africa and B. anthracis in sub-Saharan Africa using an ecological niche modeling approach. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Georeferenced occurrence data for B. anthracis and Bcbva were obtained from public data repositories and the scientific literature. Combinations of temperature, humidity, vegetation greenness, and soils values served as environmental variables in model calibrations. To predict the potential distribution of suitable environments for each pathogen across the study region, parameter values derived from the median of 10 replicates of the best-performing model for each pathogen were used. We found suitable environments predicted for B. anthracis across areas of confirmed and suspected anthrax activity in sub-Saharan Africa, including an east-west corridor from Ethiopia to Sierra Leone in the Sahel region and multiple areas in eastern, central, and southern Africa. The study area for Bcbva was restricted to West and Central Africa to reflect areas that have likely been accessible to Bcbva by dispersal. Model predicted values indicated potential suitable environments within humid forested environments. Background similarity tests in geographic space indicated statistical support to reject the null hypothesis of similarity when comparing environments associated with B. anthracis to those of Bcbva and when comparing humidity values and soils values individually. We failed to reject the null hypothesis of similarity when comparing environments associated with Bcbva to those of B. anthracis, suggesting that additional investigation is needed to provide a more robust characterization of the Bcbva niche. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE This study represents the first time that the environmental and geographic distribution of Bcbva has been mapped. We document likely differences in ecological niche-and consequently in geographic distribution-between Bcbva and typical B. anthracis, and areas of possible co-occurrence between the two. We provide information crucial to guiding and improving monitoring efforts focused on these pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Romero-Alvarez
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
| | - A. Townsend Peterson
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Johanna S. Salzer
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Claudia Pittiglio
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Animal Health Service, Animal Production and Health Division, Rome, Italy
| | - Sean Shadomy
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Animal Health Service, Animal Production and Health Division, Rome, Italy
- One Health Office, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Rita Traxler
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Antonio R. Vieira
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - William A. Bower
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Henry Walke
- Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Lindsay P. Campbell
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Nematology, IFAS | University of Florida, Vero Beach, Florida, United States of America
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